New entrants no longer able to sign up to Childcare Voucher scheme in NI

By Q Radio News

The government's Childcare voucher scheme is being closed down - to new entrants from today.

Charities here say it'll leave thousands of families - to fend for themselves.

Marie Marin from 'Employers for childcare' - says the switch between the systems - is complicated.

Marie Marin told Q Radio : “Working parents are being let down. Hundreds of thousands of people from across the UK have supported the campaign to #SaveChildcareVouchers.

This includes 120,000 who signed an online petition, MPs supporting a number of Early Day Motions, employers promoting a business pledge, and parents and childcare providers lobbying their MP.

By closing the Childcare Voucher Scheme to new entrants, Government is completely disregarding this widespread public support. 

“Our charity’s helpline has been inundated with calls from parents who are anxious and angry that they can no longer join the Scheme.

Others are frustrated because, although they have been using Childcare Vouchers for years, they are changing jobs in the next few weeks and will be excluded from the Scheme as they are deemed a new entrant with their new employer.

Many of these parents will now be paying £100s more on childcare per year because they cannot access the savings Childcare Vouchers provide.”

Reflecting on the campaign Marie concludes: “Parents, businesses, childcare providers and MPs have supported the #SaveChildcareVouchers campaign in their thousands and we want to thank them for doing so.  The campaign has put childcare at the top of the political agenda.  The research speaks for itself - investment in childcare is an investment in the future. It makes no sense to take away a form of support that we know works on the ground and provides real savings for families.”